What would you want the writers to stop doing to the show?

[Lightwing 12,978]

I have a fair share of complaints, but for now I will name a couple:

 

-Start to give Celestia some storytime outside the main plot: one of my bigger complaints on the transition from the S3 to the S4 was the reduction of the time that Celestia got as a character, and started to be more of a plot device. I can name examples of important characters getting their own stories, like with Luna episodes (debating their quality is another story for another place, but they are stories). Celestia can also have her own stories to show that don't need to be tied to a big danger to the ponykind nor something like that.

 

-Stop with the Spike Abuse: i don't think I need to enter on detail about this one. He needs to start to be treated as a character, and this is something I cannoy stress enought.

[PrymeStriker 408]

How can they stop pandering to the fandom when, other than Equestria Girls 1, they never did?

 

So long as "Slice of Life" exists.

[Dark Qiviut 22,447]

So long as "Slice of Life" exists.

SoL was fanservice, not fan pandering. Unlike EQG1's fandom references, SoL's fanservice has a plot-related purpose, valid reason for them to be there (it's a celebration thanking the fans), and don't detract from the story.

Edited February 23, 2016 by Dark Qiviut

[VengefulStrudel 1,495]

What I'd like them to stop doing is finishing up finales so quickly. Season 4 3 and 4's ended quite abruptly, and I felt Season 5's ended a bit abruptly too. Starlight's motivation felt quite weak. Season 1 & 2's finales felt better paced. I'd also like them to develop Spike more - though this is a thing I'd like them to start doing rather than stop.

[PrymeStriker 408]

SoL was fanservice, not fan pandering. Unlike EQG1's fandom references, SoL's fanservice has a plot-related purpose, valid reason for them to be there (it's a celebration thanking the fans), and don't detract from the story.

 

"Slice of Life" was influenced by fandom references as well. And arguably, the story did suffer from it (it could become really messy, and a few scenes remained unimportant to the story in the longrun, such as the Big Lebowski section). I'll agree there was more harmless fan service than fan pandering, but the pandering existed nonetheless. 

 

As a matter of fact, I just found an article on TV Tropes that lists a couple of examples of "pandering to the base" under their Examples >> Western Animation >> My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, and Examples >> Films -- Animation >> My Little Pony: Equestria Girls. Along with the obvious "Last Roundup" scene, "Slice of Life" as well as Rainbow Rocks are used as examples of fan pandering. The article is here if you want to see for yourself, but I think they make some reasonable points. 

[That Guy with the CMB 5,873]

How can they stop pandering to the fandom when, other than Equestria Girls 1, they never did?

@@Mesme Rize is on point here. It's perfectly fine to criticize or hate an episode. But when the criticism gets personal, insulting, or both, that's not showing respect.

It appears someone has already responded for me. -u-

[cmarston1 5,959]

Have any more episodes dedicated on focusing on the background ponies.

They are called background ponies for a reason.  They are just used as models to use to fill out crowd scenes and are not actual characters with personalities.

The show already has the mane 6, Spike, the CMC, Discord, Luna, Celestia, Cadence, Shining Armor, Big Macintosh, Zecora as major and recurring characters as well the occasional other characters such as Maud Pie,  Coco Pummel, Babs Seed, Cherilee and others to deal with screentime and character development.  A lot of time these characters get shafted and barely get to do anything such as Season 3 Rarity, Season 5 Fluttershy, Zecora barely does anything in general nowadays, Celestia could have been replaced with the cutie map for the rest of the series, Shining Armor and Cadence don't appear very often and don't get too much character development, Cherilee only got Hearts and Hooves Day to actually shine, Spike doesn't get to do a lot in the show and only had one episode in season 5, and now Starlight Glimmer is being added to the cast (hopefully in a Discord-esque recurring role) as well as characters like Mr and Mrs Cake and the introduction of Princess Flurry Heart.

The show has way more than enough characters that deserve to be focused on and giving screentime or development than to waste time on following living props.

Edited February 23, 2016 by cmarston1

[Steve Piranha 29,443]

I agree to some points here: Celly haa way to few character development outside of alternate media. Cadance and Shining Armor had more development despite their seldom appearances. And AJ, we had enough episodes focuwing with her family and farm. She's shown to be qn overall capable and flexible character if she's not the main focus, but if she is, she always has some issue regarding her farm or the rest of the Apples

[CastletonSnob 3,079]

I want the show to have better male characters.

[Unlikeable Pony 2,698]

I agree to some points here: Celly haa way to few character development outside of alternate media. Cadance and Shining Armor had more development despite their seldom appearances. And AJ, we had enough episodes focuwing with her family and farm. She's shown to be qn overall capable and flexible character if she's not the main focus, but if she is, she always has some issue regarding her farm or the rest of the Apples

We need more like mane attraction and less like leap of faith or apple family reunion IMO.

[Number62 1,258]

Stop making the non-Twilight alicorns useless or look like idiots. Even Nightmare Moon is hit hard with this in "The Cutie Remark". Natural alicorns are allegedly powerful spellcasters, so they'd know a thing or two about fancy spells, right? Apparently not since Nightmare Moon, who is also Luna, knows nothing about time travel spells even though Star Swirl existed during Luna's time. What kind of spells does she even know about then? And Twilight even manages to dupe Nightmare Moon without effort. How appropriate.

[ISleepNow 20]

 

1. If (i.e., Charlotte Fullerton handing Putting Your Hoof Down over to Williams after her husband passed away).

 

 

Thx for the information.  No wonder that episode is so schizophrenic.  The part dealing with Iron Will is one of the best episodes of the series but the part preceding it that tries to make Ponyville out to be Shitheadville just sucks.  Shoulda known

[Lambdadelta 1,462]

What does I want writers to stop? Stop writing any bad/mediocre episode Lol. As long as there are decent episode or above, I'm fine with any direction they take. Im easy to please

Edited March 1, 2016 by Lambdadelta

[countryman 193]

Because without them, we probably wouldn't be here. Just a thought.

Also, make a proper AJ episode, with nobody stealing the spotlight and just her and no family.

 

Yes More APPLEJACK! A country pony needs love too! and more big mac!!!

Edited March 1, 2016 by countryman

[KatonRyu 1,033]

There aren't a lot of things I'd wish the writers would stop doing, but a few that come to mind are:

 

- Spike episodes. I've seen people who want better ones, well, I just want them to be out altogether. I think Spike should remain a side character because I feel he works best when used sparingly. While he's a competent assistant, he's just that: an assistant. Let him play the part he plays well. Not every character is meant to be a main one.

 

- Using old memes. To be fair I've only noticed it in RR, with the '20% cooler' thing. The original line worked in the context in which it was used. In RR, the reference is forced in just to get some recognition. They even put it on the soundtrack. (I have to add that I have no problem whatsoever with making a nod to the fandom every now and then, just don't make them forced.)